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Though the 1938 LaGG-3 was not a particularly distinguished aircraft, several outstanding combat aircraft were derived from it. These later types had little in common with their common ancestor. Semyon Lavochkin based his later designs on the airframe of his first fighter, continually improving it throughout the war. This approach produced fine aircraft like the La-5 and La-7, which played a leading role in the war. No fewer than 15,000 Lavochkin fighters came off the assembly lines, and the last of these, aeroplanes were still flying in Korea in 1950.

A change of engine - to the 1,330 hp 14-cylinder Shvetsov M-82 radial - accounted for the difference between the LaGG-3 and its successors. It was late in 1941 that Lavochkin began considering the possibility of installing this engine in place of the 1,21Ohp liquid-cooled Klimov M-1O5P.

The very first tests showed that performance could be markedly improved: the new engine provided more power, and the elimination of the liquid cooling system reduced the aircraft’s weight. This latter benefit more than compensated for the larger frontal section and hence increased drag, and the aircraft’s performance was much improved. Maximum speed, for example, went up by 25 mph (40 km/h).

This type immediately replaced the LaGG-3 on the assembly line. The first production units were hybrid LaGG-5s, with the new radial engine fitted to the LaGG-3 airframe. These were delivered to units to tide them over until the definitive La-5 was ready for its baptism of fire in the spring of 1942. Production was soon in full swing, and by the Battle of Stalingrad the new Lavochkin fighter was in service all along the front.

Meanwhile, Lavochkin was working on an improved version which was to reach units in 1943. This was the La-5FN (FN referring to the more powerful engine), with the fuel-injection M-82FN of 1,640hp. The structure was composite (with metal parts in the wing) rather than all-wood, and the controls were improved.

A year later came the La-7, incorporating aerodynamic improvements, a more powerful Shvetsov radial generating 1,850 hp, and better armament. There were three instead of two ShVAK 20mm cannon, the engine cowling was more streamlined, and the oil radiator was moved to the lower centre of the fuselage. The most striking result of these improvements was an increase of some 25 mph in maximum speed over the La-5FN.

The installation of a liquid-fuelled rocket engine in the rear fuselage to provide an emergency performance boost was also studied. Some La-7s were equipped with this engine, which increased maximum speed by 10-15 per cent for short periods. The La-5 and La-7UTI two-seaters were developed for training, liaison and also observation.
The La-9 was the first in the series to be built entirely of metal. Lavochkin designed this aircraft in 1944, and examples were delivered to units late in the war.

This was a radically different aeroplane, even though it outwardly resembled its predecessors. The wing was completely redesigned, the armament comprised four cannon, and the engine generated 1,870 hp, The top speed of the La-9 was over 430 mph (690 km/h) at sea level, range was almost 1,100 miles (1,725km), and time to 16,250 ft (5,000 m) was four minutes and two seconds.

This model, after a series of structural changes, led to the final version of the series, the Lavochkin La-11. Appearing just after the war, the La-11 was the Soviet Air Force’s last piston-engined fighter.

The Lavochkins were well-liked by their crews, and some of Russia’s top aces flew them, including Ivan Kozhedub. Three times Hero of the Soviet Union and the leading Allied ace, he achieved all of his 62 victories in Lavochkin fighters.

The last of these was a Lavochkin La-7, issued to him in July 1944. In it Kozhedub shot down 17 German aircraft, including a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet.

The Lavochkin La 5 was designed by Semyon Lavochkin in late 1941. The German blitzkrieg was advancing on Moscow and the Soviets desperately needed to take back air superiority from Germany. Lavochkin took the LaGG 3 airframe and began to modify it into the viable and deadly La 5. To the LaGG frame Lavochkin added the powerful M-82 radial engine. With a few aerodynamic retouches, a new canopy and cowl, Lavochkin had produced a fighter that was faster and more agile then the much-feared Bf 109. For his design of the La 5 and all planes bearing his name, Lavochkin received the esteemed Stalin Prize.

The Lavochkin series of fighters were among the best fighters produced during World War II. As a dogfighter, the Lavochkin La 5 was considered a superior aircraft to both the German Bf 109 and Fw 190 fighters. The La 5 was the fighter of choice for Soviet aces. Ivan Kozhedub brought down 62 German planes in an La 5FN (a fuel injection version of the La 5).

The La 5 first saw combat in the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942. Showing good results there, a new version was created, the La 5FN. It had a fuel injected engine which produced better response during aerobatics. The new version arrived during the Battle at Kursk further improving the Lavochkin La 5’s reputation.
21,975 of the various Lavochkin Russia airplane models were produced. They left service in 1945.